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Coenonympha fettigii (dorus)

Moroccan Dusky Heath

Field Notes

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Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005

 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005

 

We were surprised how uncommon this butterfly was. It is supposedly found across the mountains of Morocco but we found it only very locally in the Middle Atlas. It was in good condition so we were obviously at the right time of year at the end of June, at least in this area. It flies amongst sparse scrub with patches dry grass, usually in dry gullies. As such it we did not find it around Ifrane, rather in the Boulemane district.

It is very closely related to the Dusky Heath, C. dorus, of which fetiggii is often considered a subspecies. In north Africa it is significantly different visually. The unh white markings are very greatly reduced, as are the spots, however the unf markings are bold and distinctive.

 

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